Exercise Device for Use as a Walking Stick Having an Ergonomically Angled Handle

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic walking stick of the present invention is particularly useful during therapeutic exercise involving walking. The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has an ergonomically angled handle that allows for a more comfortable wrist angle through the entire walking stride. In one exemplary embodiment, ergonomically angled handle is angled with respect to the handle support section and is further canted in relation to the plane defined by the vertical axis of the shaft and the horizontal axis of the handle support section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/108,258, filed on Jan. 27, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly, it relates to an ergonomic walking stick having an ergonomically angled handle for use as an ergonomically adapted walking stick that allows for a more natural wrist break when being used by a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the exercise arts, it is known that walking provides numerous benefits including muscle tone, endurance, and posture. Additionally, as a cardio, aerobic exercise, walking provides benefits in the areas of heart health, cholesterol management, blood pressure management, stress relief, management of depression and/or anxiety related symptoms, and contributes to an overall sense of well-being. And, it is also known, especially in the areas of walking generally, Nordic walking, hiking, and trekking, that the use of walking sticks enhances the benefits of the workout by involving the muscles in the shoulders, arms, and back, particularly the lower back. Various known patents disclose various forms of walking sticks. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,435, issued to Wilkinson on Aug. 22, 1995, discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick having a weight attached to the shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,825, issued to Wilkinson on Feb. 13, 1996, discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick having an offset either at the top or the bottom. U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,957, issued to Wilkinson on Dec. 24, 1996, also discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick which can have a weight attached to the staff. U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,713, issued to Wilkinson on May 13, 1997, also discloses an exercise device in the form of a walking stick. Each of the Wilkinson exercise devices are adjustable in length. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,914, issued to Trani on Jul. 14, 1998, discloses a portable, telescopic, weighted walking pole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,700, issued to Brown on Oct. 22, 1996, discloses a walking stick for aiding support of an individual in which the device includes a stanchion assembly having a handgrip assembly secured to an upper end and a stanchion assembly at the lower end for rollingly engaging a ground surface during walking U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,633, issued to Werner, III on May 29, 2006; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,775, issued to Werner, III on Nov. 18, 2008, each disclose ergonomic support staff apparatuses having a handle member that protrudes laterally outward from the support member to define an angled grip portion. And, finally, U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,609, issued to Williams on Aug. 6, 2013, discloses an attachable weight for a walking pole.

What is missing from the art is an ergonomic walking stick having an ergonomically angled handle that is both inclined with respect to the walking stick and is canted toward the user so as to provide a more natural break of the wrist throughout the full motion of the walking stride. Further, also missing from the art is an ergonomically angled handle that is adapted to be retrofitted to state of the art walking poles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention is particularly useful during exercise involving walking, and is especially useful for walking, as a therapeutic exercise, to assist with alleviating chronic lower back pain. The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has an ergonomically angled handle that allows for a more comfortable, and more natural, wrist angle through the entire walking stride. In one exemplary embodiment, the handle of the ergonomic walking stick is both inclined with respect to the vertical axis of the walking stick and is canted towards the user thereby allowing a more natural wrist break throughout the full range of motion. This canted handle results in left and right walking sticks that can be utilized singly, or in matched pairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the left-handed ergonomic walking stick of the present invention in which a right-handed ergonomic walking stick would be a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the ergonomic walking stick illustrated in FIG. 1 showing an exemplary angle of inclination from horizontal of the ergonomically angled handle section;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the ergonomic walking stick illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the cant of the handle section from the plane defined by the vertical axis of the ergonomic walking stick and the horizontal handle support section;

FIG. 4 illustrates a user walking with a pair of ergonomic walking sticks of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the walking stick of the left-handed ergonomic walking stick of the present invention in which a right-handed ergonomic walking stick would be a mirror image thereof;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a further embodiment of the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention in which the handle member is removable; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the removable handle member of the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention is particularly useful during exercise involving walking, especially walking as a therapeutic exercise to assist in alleviating chronic lower back pain. The ergonomic walking stick of the present invention has an ergonomically angled handle that allows for a more comfortable wrist angle through the entire walking stride; in this regard, the ergonomically angled handle is angled with respect to the horizontal axis of the handle support section; and, the ergonomically angled handle is further canted towards the user such that it is angled with respect to the plane defined by the vertical axis of the walking stick and the horizontal axis of the handle support section. In this manner the longitudinal axis of the handle. It has been found that use of the ergonomic walking stick, constructed in accordance with the present invention, has particular benefits for certain people who suffer from certain types of chronic back pain. In this regard, in use, as the person plants the ergonomic walking stick, strides past, and pushes against the ergonomic walking stick, (during which motion the ergonomically shaped handle section allows for an decreased angle of attack of the wrist, and therefore greater comfort during use), then swings the ergonomic walking stick forward towards the next forward impact point, the action of walking past the ergonomic walking stick and swinging the ergonomic walking stick forward, stretches and energizes certain of the muscles in the back, especially the lower back, abdomen, chest, arms, and hips. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, ideally, two ergonomic walking sticks, both a left-handed walking stick and a right-handed walking stick, are used and are planted and swung, either together or in alternating fashion. Use of the ergonomic walking sticks of the present invention in this manner has, anecdotally, been found by the inventor to provide temporary relief for certain types of chronic back pain, as well as frozen shoulder issues. It is believed that this action, that stretches and energizes the musculature of the back, abdomen, shoulders, hips, chest, and arms, increases the blood flow to the musculature of the back. This increased blood flow is believed to play a significant role in the relief of chronic pain described herein. Further, use of the ergonomic walking stick of the present invention provides a more gentle workout, decreasing the risk of an over exertion injury, than state of the art exercise methods.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the ergonomic walking stick having an ergonomically angled and canted handle of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, in an exemplary embodiment, the ergonomic walking stick 10 comprises an elongated shaft 15 having an upper end 20, a lower end 25, and a longitudinal axis 35. Lower end 25 is adapted for engaging a walking surface. In an exemplary embodiment, ergonomic walking stick 10 includes a handle support section 50 which is connected to the upper end 20 of shaft 15 at a selected angle. Handle support section 50 has, in an exemplary embodiment, a longitudinal axis 55. In an exemplary embodiment, longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 35 of shaft 15. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the angle between the handle support section 50 and the elongated shaft 15 could range from approximately 5° to approximately 175°.

Connected to the handle support section 50 is ergonomic handle section 60. Ergonomic handle section 60 is, in an exemplary embodiment, an elongated body having a longitudinal axis 65. The longitudinal axis 65 of ergonomic handle section 60 lies in a different plane than the plane defined between the longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 and longitudinal axis 35 of elongated shaft 15, which is represented by surface 80 in FIG. 3. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 forms an acute angle with a level supporting surface, referenced by broken line 75 in FIG. 2. In this regard, as seen in FIG. 2, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 defines an angle 90 with the longitudinal axis 55 of said handle support section 50 which, in one exemplary embodiment, is in a range of between approximately 20° to approximately 70°. Further, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 is tilted, or canted, in an exemplary embodiment, towards the user, such that the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 defines an angle 100 with the longitudinal axis 35 of shaft 15 which, in an exemplary embodiment, is in a range of approximately 15° to approximately 75°. Thus, it will be recognized that, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 is offset from the plane defined by the longitudinal axis 55 of the handle support section 50 and the longitudinal axis 35 of elongated shaft 15. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis 65 of handle section 60 and the longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 define a plane that intersects with the plane defined between the longitudinal axis 55 of handle support section 50 and longitudinal axis 35 of elongated shaft 15. It will be recognized, as best illustrated in FIG. 4, that by canting handle section 60 towards the user as described herein, that this canted handle section 60 results in right and left handed walking sticks 10. These walking sticks can be offered commercially as single units for use by a right or left handed user, or can be sold in pairs.

As stated above, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, during use, as the person plants the ergonomic walking stick 10, strides past, and pushes against the ergonomic walking stick 10, then swings the ergonomic walking stick forward towards the next forward impact point, the action of walking past the ergonomic walking stick 10 and swinging the ergonomic walking stick 10 forward, stretches and energizes certain of the muscles in the back, especially the lower back, abdomen, chest, arms, and hips. The angled and canted relationship of longitudinal axis 65 of the ergonomic handle 60 allows the user to gauge the pressure he or she may feel comfortable with in his or her lower back as their recovery progresses. As the angle of the ergonomic walking stick 10 relative to the ground during walking decreases, pressure in the lower back resulting from the push-off increases and allows the user to gauge how much pressure the user desires. The user can thus adjust this pressure by increasing or decreasing the angle of attack and the force of the push-off. The angled and canted relationship of longitudinal axis 65 of the ergonomic handle section 60 allows for a greater degree of extension during the stride and push-off than can be attained with a state-of-the-art vertical handle walking stick. This allows for greater energization of the lower back muscles. Further, to avoid overuse and potential injury to the lower back, exercise sessions should typically be limited to 10-20 minute sessions.

In an exemplary embodiment, ergonomic walking stick 10 further includes padding 120 at the lower end 25 of shaft 15, padding 130 which covers the upper end 20 and handle support section 50, and gripping padding 140 on handle section 60. Padding 120, padding 130, and gripping padding 140 could be closed or open cell foam material. Further, while the ergonomic walking stick 10 illustrated herein has been, in an exemplary embodiment, constructed of tube stock that has been bent on a tube bending machine, such that the elongated shaft section 15, the handle support section 50, and ergonomically angled handle 60 are integral, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the individual sections described herein could be cut from separate pieces of stock and welded together at sharp angles or with filleted curves of any selected radius; and it will be further recognized that the various components, such as, particularly, the handle support member and the angled handle member could be injection molded. It will also be appreciated that the individual sections described herein could be connected to one another by any means known or later to be developed.

For example, in a further exemplary embodiment, the various sections could be modular. In this regard, referring to FIG. 5, the ergonomic walking stick 210 comprises an elongated shaft 215 having an upper end 220 and a lower end 225. In this exemplary embodiment, ergonomic walking stick 210 includes an ergonomically angled handle 260 that is offset from the plane defined by handle support member 255 and elongated shaft 215, so as to provide for a more natural cant to the wrist during the full range of motion. Further, in this exemplary embodiment, a stanchion 275 can be disposed between handle support member 275 and ergonomically angled handle 260. Stanchion 275 can be rotated, with respect to its junction with handle support member 255, towards the user to increase the offset of ergonomically angled handle 260. In this exemplary embodiment, upper end 220 provides an additional place to grip the ergonomic walking stick 210 thereby providing a user the opportunity to use two hands, for instance, for assistance in rising from a sitting position to a standing position. Each of these components, in this exemplary embodiment are modular and are secured to one another by welding, by use of an adhesive, or other means readily known to those skilled in the art.

In an additional exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7, the ergonomically angled handle member 460 is adapted to be retrofitted to an existing exercise stick, walking stick, or walking cane. In this regard, a clamping member 410 is adapted to clamp onto the handle support member 455 and onto an existing walking stick's vertical shaft 405. Clamping member 410 includes hinge member 415. Further, clamping member 410 has vertical clamping portion 420 that engage vertical shaft 405. Handle clamping portion 430 is in a substantially orthogonal relationship with vertical clamping portion 420. A threaded bolt 440 and a cooperating nut, such as wing nut 445 are utilized to secure the clamping member 410 to the handle 455 and the vertical shaft 405. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms could be used to retrofit handle 455 to an existing walking stick. For instance, a strap and ratchet mechanism 475, as is common with hose clamps, could be utilized as illustrated in FIG. 7.

It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments illustrated and described herein, the handle sections could be manufactured of any of a select group of rigid materials commonly used in this art. Further, the handle sections could be smooth, textured for grip and/or tactile response, or could be covered in a closed-cell foam material. While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, what is claimed is:
 1. An ergonomic walking stick having an ergonomically angled handle for use during walking, said ergonomic walking stick comprising: an elongated shaft section having an upper end, a lower end adapted for engaging a walking surface, and a longitudinal axis; a handle support section connected to said upper end of said elongated shaft section, said handle support section having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of said handle support section defining an angle with said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section, and wherein said longitudinal axis of said handle support section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section define a first plane; and an ergonomically angled handle section connected to said handle support section at a selected angle, said ergonomically angled handle section having a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section is offset from said first plane.
 2. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 1 wherein said selected longitudinal axis of said handle support section is in an orthogonal relationship with said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section.
 3. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 1 wherein said selected angle between said longitudinal axis of said handle section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section is in a range of approximately 15° to approximately 75°.
 4. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section and said longitudinal axis of said handle support section define an angle in a range of approximately 20° to approximately 70°.
 5. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axis of said handle support section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section define a first plane, and said longitudinal axis of said handle section and said longitudinal axis of said handle support section define a second plane, and further wherein said first plane and said second plane intersect.
 6. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section forms an acute angle with a level support surface during use.
 7. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 1 wherein said shaft section, said handle support section, and said ergonomically angled handle section are integrally formed.
 8. An ergonomic walking stick for use during walking, said ergonomic walking stick comprising: an elongated body section defined by an elongated shaft section having an upper end, a lower end adapted for engaging a walking surface, and a longitudinal axis; a handle support section connected to said upper end of said elongated shaft section, said handle support section having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of said handle support section defining an angle with said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section, and wherein said longitudinal axis of said handle support section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section define a first plane; and an ergonomically angled handle section connected to said handle support section at a selected angle, said ergonomically angled handle section having a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section is offset from said first plane, wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section define a selected angle in a range of approximately 15° to approximately 75°.
 9. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 8 wherein said selected longitudinal axis of said handle support section is in an orthogonal relationship with said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section.
 10. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 8 wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section and said longitudinal axis of said handle support section define an angle in a range of approximately 20° to approximately 70°.
 11. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 8 wherein said longitudinal axis of said handle support section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section define a first plane, and said longitudinal axis of said handle section and said longitudinal axis of said handle support section define a second plane, and further wherein said first plane and said second plane intersect.
 12. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 8 wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section forms an acute angle with a level support surface during use.
 13. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 8 wherein said shaft section, said handle support section, and said ergonomically angled handle section are integrally formed.
 14. An ergonomic walking stick for use during walking, said ergonomic walking stick comprising: an elongated body section defined by an elongated shaft section having an upper end, a lower end adapted for engaging a walking surface, and a longitudinal axis; a handle support section connected to said upper end of said elongated shaft section, said handle support section having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of said handle support section defining an angle with said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section, and wherein said longitudinal axis of said handle support section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section define a first plane; and an ergonomically angled handle section connected to said handle support section at a selected angle, said ergonomically angled handle section having a longitudinal axis, offset from said first plane in relation to said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section to define a selected angle, wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section and said longitudinal axis of said handle support section define an angle in a range of approximately 20° to approximately 70°.
 15. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 14 wherein said selected longitudinal axis of said handle support section is in an orthogonal relationship with said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section.
 16. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 14 wherein said selected angle between said longitudinal axis of said handle section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section is in a range of approximately 15° to approximately 75°.
 17. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 14 wherein said longitudinal axis of said handle support section and said longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft section define a first plane, and said longitudinal axis of said handle section and said longitudinal axis of said handle support section define a second plane, and further wherein said first plane and said second plane intersect.
 18. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 14 wherein said longitudinal axis of said ergonomically angled handle section forms an acute angle with a level support surface during use.
 19. The ergonomic walking stick of claim 14 wherein said shaft section, said handle support section, and said ergonomically angled handle section are integrally formed. 